Tomato paste is one of the most widely used seasonings in Iranian cooking, which makes the taste and color of food more pleasant. But what factors make tomato paste tasty and high quality? In this article, we will examine the main factors affecting the taste and quality of tomato paste.

Factors affecting the taste of tomato paste:

* Type of tomato:

* Ripe and juicy tomatoes: The use of fully ripe and juicy tomatoes is the main factor in making the paste tasty. These tomatoes have more natural sugar and give a sweeter taste to the paste.

Variety of cultivars: Different tomato cultivars give different flavors to the paste. Some cultivars have a sweeter taste and others have a more sour taste. By choosing the right variety of tomato, you can achieve your desired taste in the paste.

* Harvest season: Seasonal tomatoes usually taste better than greenhouse tomatoes.

 * Preparation method:

* Long-term cooking: Long-term cooking thickens the paste and increases its taste. But be careful that overcooking will burn the paste and make it bitter.

* Continuous stirring: Continuous stirring of the paste during cooking prevents it from sticking and makes its color and taste uniform.

* Grinding: grinding tomatoes before cooking makes the texture of the paste uniform and removes the tomato skin and seeds.

 * Add other ingredients:

* Salt: Salt balances the taste of the paste and helps it last longer.

* Oil: * Adding a little oil makes the paste shiny and prevents it from drying.

* Honey or sugar:* In some recipes, honey or sugar is used to sweeten the paste.

* Plant extracts: * Adding plant extracts such as thyme or mint gives the paste a special taste and aroma.

 * Maintenance conditions:

* Storage container: using dark glass containers or steel containers is more suitable for storing the paste.

* Cool and dark environment: * Keeping the paste in a cool and dark environment increases its shelf life and preserves its quality

Conclusion:

To prepare delicious tomato paste, one should pay attention to various factors such as the type of tomato, preparation method, addition of other ingredients and storage conditions. By following these tips, you can prepare Rabi with great taste and quality